press releases

Embassy Donates Collection of American Literature to Sin El Fil Library

February 10, 2006

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher W. Murray celebrated the donation of 136 volumes of American literature to Sin El Fil Library at a ceremony held February 10, 2006. The books include American fiction and non-fiction, written by authors representing the full diversity of American voices, and spanning more than 300 years of American history.

The U.S. Embassy has, over the past two years, donated more than 10,000 books in English, Arabic and French, for children and adults 100 public libraries and educational and cultural institutions throughout Lebanon. Sin El Fil Library was chosen to receive this special “Library of America” collection because of its proximity to several Lebanese University branch campuses. The books are a resource to students who might not otherwise have access to such rich materials.

In his remarks at Sin El Fil Library, Mr. Murray singled out a volume by Benjamin Franklin entitled Writings, and noted its author, one of America’s Founding Fathers, was also credited with creating, in 1731, the first public lending library in America. The year 2006 is the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth. “Reading makes a full man,” Benjamin Franklin once wrote. Mr. Murray gave the 21st century version of this wisdom, saying, “Reading makes us all smarter, wiser and more understanding.”

“More important than the gift of books and materials we donate today, “ said Mr. Murray, “is the promise of sincere, heartfelt and lasting friendship between our two peoples, American and Lebanese. That is why I am so pleased to be here today—to reaffirm to you the importance the United States accords to its relationship with Lebanon. Our commitment to Lebanon is firm, enduring and non-negotiable. As the Lebanese people work to achieve a more hopeful future, the United States will remain an unwavering and steadfast ally, and a friend to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”